Keywords
Citation
(2003), "EPA clean air award for DuPont", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 32 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2003.12932dab.011
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2003, MCB UP Limited
EPA clean air award for DuPont
EPA clean air award for DuPont
Keywords: Coatings, Environment
DuPont Co’s recently commercialized SuperSolids low-VOC automotive-coatings technology has been recognized with a US EPA clean air excellence award, the company announced. The clearcoat technology offers significantly reduced VOC emissions and enhanced scratch and mar resistance, DuPont says. The award, which recognizes innovative technologies that improve air quality, will be presented in Washington on 20 March.
The technology has resulted in the development of clearcoats with 65 per cent solids content compared to what DuPont says is an industry-best standard of 50 per cent solids and 50 per cent solvent content. The higher solids content is reported to be made possible by means of structural modifications in oligomers, or small-polymer chains, to provide a more fluid-like behaviour in the solids. The company said the technology allows the use of existing application equipment.
Launched in the spring of 2002 at the Newark assembly plant, the SuperSolids coating immediately reduced VOC emissions on the clearcoat production line by more than 25 per cent, in addition to eliminating more than 80 per cent of the hazardous air pollutant emissions from the complete topcoat process, DuPont said. The technology also reduced odours from the painting process by 50 per cent. The reductions helped the DaimlerChrysler facility to meet new air-quality permit requirements 1 year early, the company said.
Robert Matheson, Manager for strategic technology for DuPont Performance Coatings, said the technology offers “considerable potential to help vehicle manufacturers protect the environment and increase value to consumers, without driving up costs”.
DuPont said it is continuing to work with DaimlerChrysler and other automakers to expand the use of the SuperSolids technology worldwide. The technology will be described in more detail in an upcoming issue of PCI magazine.